Hyderabad’s Spanish Mosque built in Moorish-style

The Spanish Mosque, also called Masjid Iqbal-Ud-Daula or Jama Masjid Aiwan-E-Begumpet, is a 120-year-old marvel that remains largely unnoticed despite its striking form and rich heritage

By N Shiva Kumar

Hyderabad: Tucked away in the bustling Begumpet, abutting the highway in Hyderabad, stands a hidden architectural gem, India’s only known mosque built in the Moorish style.

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The Spanish Mosque, also called Masjid Iqbal-Ud-Daula or Jama Masjid Aiwan-E-Begumpet, is a 120-year-old marvel that remains largely unnoticed despite its striking form and rich heritage.

It’s not a Cathedral, not a dome but a Mosque that defies tradition. Commissioned in the early 1900s by Sir Viqar-ul-Umra, a nobleman of the Paigah dynasty, the mosque was inspired by his travels to Spain, especially the Alhambra in Granada and the Great Mosque of Córdoba.

After his passing, his wife and son took up the task of completing the construction in 1906, preserving the vision of bringing a piece of Andalusia to the Deccan in Hyderabad.

What sets this mosque apart is its distinctly non-Indian design. At first glance, it resembles a Spanish cathedral more than a traditional mosque. Gone are the domes typical of Mughal and Qutb Shahi architecture. In their place are horseshoe arches, slender minarets akin to bell towers, and stucco patterns echoing Moorish elegance.

Painted in pristine white, the mosque radiates a quiet majesty. Inside, the décor is minimal, relying on geometric harmony and soft light rather than ornate embellishment, true to Andalusian aesthetics.

Set amidst the sprawling age old Paigah estates, the mosque is surrounded by tamarind and neem trees that once formed part of a carefully curated garden, reminiscent of serene Andalusian courtyards. A now-defunct fountain once welcomed worshippers, symbolizing purification. Restoration efforts are ongoing to revive these elements, led by conservationists and Paigah descendants.

Unlike many heritage sites, the Spanish Mosque is still a living place of worship. It holds regular prayers and serves a local congregation, many of whom remain unaware of its historic value. Recent updates like LED lighting and accessibility ramps have been thoughtfully added, maintaining the original design integrity.

Proposed for UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008, the mosque has since drawn attention from architects, historians, and tourists alike. In an age of cultural homogenization, it stands as a rare example of cross-continental influence, a whisper of Moorish Spain preserved not in books, but in stone, silence, and prayer.

The Spanish Mosque is a quiet treasure, waiting to be rediscovered and admired. A Moorish majesty beneath Hyderabad’s skies but hidden in plain sight and some call it Begumpet’s best-kept secret, a mosque Hyderabad almost forgot.